The global economic slowdown of 2009 created the most difficult environment for the American tourism industry since 11 September, 2001, according to a survey by the US Department of Commerce's Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.

Figures included in the department's annual Year In Review show that the US welcomed 54.9 million visitors from overseas in 2009, a drop of five per cent when compared with 2008. Not unexpectedly, total international visitor spend - US$121bn (£79.5bn, €92.1bn) - slumped as well, down a startling 15 per cent (almost US$21bn (£13.8bn, €16bn)). Much of the decline was centred on one market, that of the UK. The fall in visitor spend from that area alone (US$4.6bn (£3bn, €3.5bn)) surpassed the combined falls of both Africa and the entire Asia and Pacific region.

The impact was not limited to international travel. The total spend (domestic and international) by the US travel and tourism industries was US$100bn (£65.7bn, €76bn) less than in 2008, by far the single largest contraction the industry has experienced. The industry also lost nearly 400,000 industry-related jobs in 2009, effectively eliminating all employment gains since 2004.

The US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries is responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating international travel and tourism statistics for the US Travel and Tourism Statistical System.